Biblical Timing of the Resurrection Event
The biblical timing of the Resurrection event is a subject of interest among Christian traditions. The New Testament accounts provide the primary source for understanding the timing of Jesus Christ's resurrection. According to the Gospel accounts, Jesus was crucified on a Friday, often referred to as Good Friday, and resurrected on the third day, which is now celebrated as Easter Sunday [1].
The exact timing of the Resurrection is not explicitly stated in the biblical accounts, but it is generally understood to have occurred early on the first day of the week. The Gospel of Mark notes that Jesus was crucified at the third hour (9:00 AM) and died at the ninth hour (3:00 PM) [5]. The Resurrection is then described as occurring on the first day of the week, "when the Sabbath was past," and "very early in the morning" (Mark 16:1-2).
The early Church Fathers also discussed the timing of the Resurrection. Augustine, in his Homilies on the Gospels, notes that the Resurrection occurred "in the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn towards the first day of the week" [3]. This understanding is consistent with the biblical account, which describes the Resurrection as occurring early on the first day of the week.
The Catholic tradition, as represented by Thomas Aquinas, has also considered the timing of the general resurrection at the end of the age. Aquinas argues that the resurrection will occur "towards the twilight, the moon being in the east and the sun in the west" [4]. While this refers to the future general resurrection, it highlights the ongoing interest in the timing of resurrection events within Christian theology.
The significance of the Resurrection event is underscored by its connection to the fulfillment of Scripture and the doctrine of justification. The Resurrection is seen as a demonstration of Jesus' power and a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies [2].
The timing of the Resurrection, while not precisely defined in the biblical accounts, is understood within Christian traditions to be a pivotal event in the narrative of salvation. The Resurrection is celebrated on Easter Sunday, marking the third day after Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday. This timing is rooted in the biblical accounts and has been a cornerstone of Christian theology and practice [1, 2].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Resurrection of Christ — One of the cardinal facts and doctrines of the gospel. If Christ be not risen, our faith is vain (1 Cor. 15:14). The whole of the New Testament revelation rests on this as an historical fact. On the day of Pentecost Peter argued the necessity of Christ's resurrection from the prediction in Ps. 16 (Acts 2:24-28). In his own discourses, also, our Lord clearly intimates his resurrection (Matt. 20:19; Mark 9:9; 14:28; Luke 18:33; John 2:19-22). The evangelists give circumstantial accounts of the facts connected with that event, and the apostles, ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resurrection of Christ, The — Foretold by the prophets -- Ps 16:10; Ac 13:34,35; Isa 26:19. Foretold by Himself -- Mt 20:19; Mr 9:9; 14:28; Joh 2:19-22. Was necessary to The fulfilment of Scripture. -- Lu 24:45,46. Forgiveness of sins. -- 1Co 15:17. Justification. -- Ro 4:25; 8:34. Hope. -- 1Co 15:19. The efficacy of preaching. -- 1Co 15:14. The efficacy of faith. -- 1Co 15:14,17. A proof of his being the Son of God -- Ps 2:7; Ac 13:33; Ro 1:4. Effected by The power of God. -- Ac 2:24; 3:15; Ro 8:11; Eph 1:20; Col 2:12. His own power. -- Joh 2:19; 10:18. The power of”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — TIME OF THE LORD'S RESURRECTION. (part 6): the light. It is also a familiar method of speech in divine Scripture to express the whole under the part; and thus, under the word "evening" here, the evangelist has denoted the whole night, which finds its extreme point in the dawn.[3] For it was in the dawn that those women came to the sepulchre; and in this way they really came on the night, which is here indicated by the term "evening." For, as I have said, the night as a whole is denoted by that word; consequently, at whatever period of that nig”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Supplement (Supplementum), Of the Time and Manner of the Resurrection, Art. 3: Article: Whether the resurrection will take place at night-time? I answer that, The exact time and hour at which the resurrection will be cannot be known for certain, as stated in the text (Sent. iv, D, 43). Nevertheless some assert with sufficient probability that it will be towards the twilight, the moon being in the east and the sun in the west; because the sun and moon are believed to have been created in these positions, and thus their revolutions will be altogether completed by their”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 15:25: 15:25 Mark records Jesus’ crucifixion as occurring at the third hour, or nine o’clock in the morning. John 19:14 gives the time as around the sixth hour, or noon. These are rough estimates of time, and events in the later morning were typically described as occurring around either the third (Matt 20:3; Acts 2:15) or sixth hour (Mark 15:33; Matt 20:5; 27:45; Luke 23:44; John 4:6; 19:14; Acts 10:9).”